Next Membership Law Community Consultation scheduled for Tuesday, December 3rd

11/20/2013

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) would like to inform the community that the 16th Community Consultation on proposed amendments to the Kahnawà:ke Membership Law will proceed on Tuesday, 3, Tsothóhrha/ December 2013.

At the last session of 5, Kentenhkó:wa/November, the Membership Registrar reviewed that there is no definition for great-grandparent in the current Membership Law.   Four options were proposed from ‘very strict’ to ‘lenient’ interpretation for the definition of great-grandparent:

1)    Great-grandparent must be a direct descendant of indigenous parents;
2)    Great-grandparent must have at least 50% Indigenous blood quantum;
3)    Great-grandparent who was considered a community member of Kahnawà:ke with Onkwehón:we lineage;
4)    Great-grandparent who was considered a community member of Kahnawà:ke.

For the December 3rd meeting, these four (4) options and any other options raised will be discussed by the participants to give their direction on the definition that the community wants in the Membership Law.

“There are differing views in the community about recognizing a great-grandparent of future members to meet the minimum of four of eight great-grandparents,” said Membership Portfolio Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer. “There was some very good discussion shared at the last session that now needs to come together for a consensus on the key definition of the great-grandparent.”

The Consultation will continue at the point where the previous meeting concluded. It will be held from 6 to 8:30pm at the Karonhianónhnha School gymnasium. Participants are strongly urged to arrive on time in order for the meeting to begin promptly.